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Will Massa be at Ferrari in 2011?
Massa staying at Ferrari?
9th October 2010
Ferrari have been keen to dismiss claims that driver Felipe Massa could leave the F1 team at the end of the season.
Rumours started to circulate in the wake of team orders, where Ferrari asked the Brazilian to let team-mate Fernando Alonso win July’s German Grand Prix. Ferrari were subsequently fined $100,000 for those actions and were fortunate to escape having points docked.
Massa who has been consistently outpaced by team-mate Alonso all season has accepted that he will have to play second fiddle for the rest of this year to help the Spanish Alonso in his quest for this season’s world championship. However, Massa has made it clear he will not be forced into taking a permanent number two role next year. Massa told Germany’s Sport Build magazine, “For sure I am not Ferrari’s second Rubens Barrichello (the role Ruben fulfilled for Michael Schumacker at Ferrari from 2000-2005). If that happens, I will stop driving. I’m not going to go racing to be eligible for second place. Fernando is very good, definitely. But he is not better than my other team-mates. It’s just myself not being as good as usual. I have had big problems with the tyres. For my driving style, even the soft tyres are too hard. And I’m sure many other drivers have had the same problem. I don’t think Michael has forgotten how to drive.”
In addition, Massa who is contracted until the end of 2012 was criticised by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo who told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, ” I have waited for Felipe with great perseverance in the last four races. I want a strong Massa who will shave points off the rivals. In Singapore he had some bad luck, but he is in good condition to win. Those who race for Ferrari don’t race for themselves, but for the Ferrari team colours. One who wants to race for himself will have to face his team.” Via Ferrari’s official website Di Montezemolo also pointed out “Felipe is and will always stay a number one driver for Ferrari. I expect the performances of a number one driver from him – both in the next four races and, with different tyres, next year. Those will be crucial to bring us wins next season and to take important points from our opponents in the battle for this world championship”.
Speculation around where Massa might end up should the two parties split is already rife. Several teams including Renault and Force India have been linked with even Mercedes getting a mention within gossiping circles with doubts over Michael Schumacher’s long term position.
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Fernando Alonso & Felipe Massa visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi